One week before service is set to start on Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation’s (IndyGo) Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, operators began their final practice runs along the entire route.
The 13.1-mile route runs between the north side’s Broad Ripple and the University of Indianapolis to the south with 28 stations and vehicle headways of 10 minutes during weekdays and 15 minutes during weekends.
IndyGo said that new road configurations and pavement markings have been in place since July 31 on College Avenue, Meridian Street and Capitol Avenue. Capitol Avenue now includes an IndyGo northbound bus-only lane has been added to the road in which drivers are yet not accustomed to.
“As the Red Line is a service that is brand new to our riders and our bus operators, we expect there may be delays and occasional challenges for the first few weeks. Please be patient as everyone works to get comfortable with the system and ensure that everything is working together properly,” IndyGo said.
The transit provider also encouraged drivers to watch its rules of the road videos that highlight the new road configurations and are available at www.indygo.net/red-line/.
BYD is supplying the electric buses for the Red Line. The electric buses are part of IndyGo’s plans to replace all its diesel buses with electric models by 2032; reducing pollution and operating costs, while improving service for Indianapolis residents and visitors.
IndyGo will offer free rides on the Red Line during the entire month of September and will post volunteers at Red Line stations to help answer rider questions once service begins on Sept. 1.